The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)

The innovative strategy of the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for Scheduled Tribes was launched during 1974. This special str ategy was expected to ensure that all the general development sectors earmark funds for Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population so that adequate benefits from all the concerned sectors flow to this disadvantaged group. The Tribal Sub-Plan strategy has been extended to the following states and Union Territories:

1. Andhra Pradesh, 2. Assam, 3. Bihar, 4. Chhattisgarh, 5. Gujarat. 6. Himachal Pradesh, 7.Jammu and Kashmir, 8. Jharkhand, 9. Karnataka, 10. Kerala,

11. Madhya Pradesh, 12. Maharashtra, 13. Manipur, 14. Odisha, 15. Rajasthan, 16. Sikkim, 17. Tamil Nadu, 18. Tripura, 19. Uttar Pradesh, 20. Uttarakhand, 21. West Bengal, 22. Andaman and Nicobar, and 23. Daman and Diu.

The ultimate objective of extending the Tribal Sub-Plan is to boost the demand based income generation programmes, and thus raise the economic and social status of tribals in the sectors of agriculture, horticulture, land reforms, watershed development, soil moisture conservation, animal husbandry, ecology and environment, development of forests/forest villages, and development of entrepreneurship.

The main focus of the Tribal Sub-Plan is to make an integrated development effort to develop their agriculture, animal husbandry, irrigation, forestry, education, health, and employment. There is emphasis on preparing a broad policy framework for tribal development and defining a suitable administrative strategy for its implementation.

In addition to these, the Central Ministers/Departments have to take the following steps for the socioeconomic development of the Scheduled Tribes:

(a) to formulate appropriate need-based programmes for tribal areas;

(b) suitably adapt the ongoing programmes to the specific requirements of Scheduled Tribes.

(d) earmarking of senior officer dedicated exclusively for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.